Australia won the Test series against Sri Lanka 2-0, securing a historic victory after 14 years. Alex Carey was named Player of the Match, and Steven Smith earned Player of the Series. The team will now compete against South Africa in the WTC final in June.
Australia achieved a significant milestone by winning a Test series in Sri Lanka for the first time in 14 years, clinching the series 2-0. In the second Test match, Australia triumphed with a decisive 9-wicket victory. Alex Carey’s impressive performance earned him the Player of the Match title, while interim captain Steven Smith was honored as the Player of the Series. Following this series, Australia is set to face South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final in June at Lord’s.
The last time Australia won a Test series against Sri Lanka was in 2011. Despite dropping a match during their last tour in 2022, the Australian team performed exceptionally this time, demonstrating strong adaptability and teamwork. Notably, Nathan Lyon and the spin bowling group played a crucial role in their success.
Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne ended his international cricket career after a lackluster performance against Australia, scoring only 36 and 14 runs in the two innings of the second Test. During this series, Australian centurions, Steve Smith and Alex Carey, secured scores of 131 and 156 runs, respectively. Carey’s 156 also set a new record for the most Test runs by an Australian batsman in Asia, surpassing Adam Gilchrist’s long-standing record.
Australia’s Test series win against Sri Lanka marks a historic victory after 14 years, highlighting significant improvements in their performance. Prior to this, Australia faced challenges in adapting to subcontinental conditions, particularly in spin-friendly pitches common in Sri Lanka. With this series concluded, the focus now shifts to their upcoming match against South Africa for the WTC final, underlining Australia’s growing dominance in world cricket.
In summary, Australia’s convincing performance against Sri Lanka reflects their strategic advancements in adapting to challenging conditions. Both their captain and key players showcased remarkable skills, leading to a well-deserved series victory. Their next challenge lies in the WTC final, where they will aim to continue their winning streak against South Africa.
Original Source: news24online.com
